Periodontal disease (aka bad teeth)

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is more than just tartar on the teeth. It refers to problems with tissues that support the teeth:

• the gums (gingiva)
• the periodontal ligaments (which attach each tooth to its socket)
• the alveolar bone (which creates the socket the tooth roots sit in)
• the cementum

When things go wrong with these, we get problems like gum infections, tooth root abscess, pain and tooth loss. Many Greys have significant periodontal disease at a younger age than seen in other breeds. Part of the routine healthcare provided for dogs in the Greyhound Adoption Programme (GAP) includes a complete dental assessment.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

Smelly breath is definitely a key symptom. The bacteria involved, together with the bits of food that get stuck and rot, can pack a powerful punch.

Other signs include:

• visible build up on the teeth (called calculus or tartar)
• red gums
• bleeding gums
• pawing at the mouth
• not wanting to eat hard foods or dropping food out of the mouth
• pain when touched around the mouth

How is periodontal disease treated?

Dogs adopted through GAP will have had their teeth ultrasonically scaled and polished under general anaesthetic as part of their routine care. Any abnormalities or problem areas can be identified during this procedure and, if needed, a treatment plan is created. Some procedures such as extensive extractions or endodontics may need to be staged. 

Outside of GAP, most dental care can be done at general vet practices. Occasionally specialised veterinary dentists are needed.

Can periodontal disease be prevented?

There is a lot you can do to care for your Grey's teeth and prevent periodontal disease.

Maintaining good dental health is an ongoing process. There are various options available to you and your dog. Start thinking about which of these will suit you, and your life style. Whichever options you choose, remember – KEEP GOING!! Something done once, or once a month, is unlikely to be effective.

Here are some options.

Daily toothbrushing

If you adopted your dog from GAP, you may have been given a dog toothbrush and toothpaste as part of the adoption pack. Many dogs will tolerate having their teeth brushed, but we suggest a slow introduction to the procedure to smooth any bumps. The mechanical action of the brush is the most effective way of removing plaque on the surface of the tooth and gums – the toothpaste will also help but if your dog doesn’t like the flavour, just use water on the brush. Don't use people toothpaste because it needs to be spat out and not swallowed. Try to brush all surfaces of the tooth if you can, just as you do your own. Remember, slowly but surely, and always offer a treat after brushing so your pet associates toothbrushing with a reward.

Dental diets

There are many dry dog foods marketed as helping with oral health. We recommend Hill’s T/D® original bites as this food is the only dry food which acts mechanically – like a toothbrush – to scrape plaque off the teeth. It is important if you are using T/D to feed it dry and NOT mixed with meat, as it needs to be ‘crunchy’ to be effective. T/D is best fed as a complete diet, however it can also be used as a treat once daily ie give your pet 10–15 biscuits daily as training treats or an evening supper. It is available over the counter from any veterinary clinic/hospital.

Dental chews 

Dental chews include things like Dentastix®, Greenies® and Oravet® chews. Some dogs really enjoy these treats, and if given on a regular basis (at least once a day) they can be effective in promoting dental health. The upside of these treats is they are not time-demanding on you as an owner and may be a good option in busy families.

Raw meaty bones

There are mixed opinions regarding feeding bones to pet animals. On the positive side, for dogs that chew them (and don’t bury or guard them!) they are excellent tools for removing plaque. Bear in mind they must be raw (cooked bones are prone to splintering and can become nasty obstructions in your dog's intestinal system). They can also be sourced quite cheaply from your local butcher and sometimes supermarkets. On the downside, they can cause gastrointestinal upsets (usually from fat content, or also bacterial in dogs which guard bones or are allowed to chew old bones left out in the heat) or obstructions, and they can actually cause fractures of the large cheek teeth in dogs that chew too vigorously.

Water additives

There are a number of products available from your veterinarian that act chemically to reduce plaque load in your dog’s mouth. These include Healthy Mouth® and Hexarinse®. We advise speaking to your veterinarian about these products and whether they are suitable for your pet.

Summary

Regardless of the home-care options you choose, we recommend regular check-ups with your veterinarian to assess your pet’s dental health. Ideally check-ups should be every 6 months but in some dogs with poor periodontal health, we may recommend more frequent attention (eg every 3 months). Ultimately, most dogs will benefit from a proper ultrasonic scale at least every 12 months – this should be done only at a veterinary establishment under general anaesthetic so that it is done thoroughly and is pain and stress free for your pet.